Music Legend Isaac Hayes Found Dead in Tennessee Home

On the heels of yesterday’s (Aug. 9) announcement of the death of comedian Bernie Mac comes news that music legend Isaac Hayes passed away today in Memphis, Tennessee.

Steve Shular, a spokesman for the Shelby County Sheriff’s Department said the Grammy award-winning crooner was found in his home by relatives. He was unconscious and lying next to running treadmill. Paramedics called to the scene tried in vain to revive Mr. Hayes, he was pronounced dead shortly after 2 p.m. at a local hospital.

Mr. Hayes enjoyed a long and illustrious career. He was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2002. Many will remember him for the theme song to the 1971 film Shaft, which earned him both a Grammy and a Oscar for best original theme song. A year later he won another Grammy for his album Black Moses.

Most recently he was the voice of Chef on Comedy Central’s animated series South Park. He voiced the character for nine seasons until his departure from the show in 2006 over differences with the show’s creators and it’s negative views of his Scientology religion.

Mr. Hayes can be seen in the upcoming film Soul Men alongside Samuel L. Jackson and the late Bernie Mac.